1️⃣ This Week’s Highlights
Kroc Block Party – Staff Overview
📅 Date: Friday, August 15, 2025
🕠 Time: 5:30–8:30 PM
🎬 Outdoor movie at dusk (Sing)
🩸 Blood Drive: 9:30 AM–1:30 PM (Versiti Blood Bus – Kroc parking lot)
Event Highlights:
- Free, family-friendly community event
- Food: Hot dogs, pizza, chips, apples, watermelon, lemonade/iced tea (while supplies last)
- Activities: Slip & slide, bounce house, yard games, face painting, photo booth
- Special Guests: Ember (Grand Rapids Rise) & Buckets (Grand Rapids Gold)
- Outdoor movie with popcorn for the first 100 guests
- Community Partners: 16 attending (8 are first-time participants)
Key Notes for Staff:
- Vendors arrive between 4:30–4:45 PM and should park in the rear lot off Alger St.
- Vendor check-in is near the playground
- Vendors remain set up until at least 8:00 PM (event ends at 8:30 PM)
- Staff helping with the event: Please check your assigned times and roles
- Encourage guests to visit the Blood Bus in the morning to donate
- All staff are welcome to join in the festivities and bring their families, especially for the movie at dusk!
2️⃣ Program Updates
- It is the last week of Camp Kroc for the summer! We’re wrapping up the season with 39 campers
- Slip N’ Slide will be used by Day Camp on Wednesday instead of Friday
- There will be no field trip this week for Day Camp
- Wednesday, 9 AM Body Pump will be virtualized
- AYSO registration ends this Sunday, August 17
3️⃣ Facility Notices 🛠️
Facility Updates/Closures
- (None listed this week)
Rentals
- Tuesday–Wednesday: LAST WEEK for Fit Kids on the Move, East Field, 6:30–7:30 PM
- Saturday: LOBOS/Alliance Field Rental, 5–7 PM
- Sunday: LOBOS/Alliance Field Rental, 12–3 PM
- Sunday: No Surrender Running Club, East Lot, 5:30–11:30 AM
4️⃣ Staff Announcements 🎉
Green Dot Moments & Staff Shoutouts
- Shout out to everyone for keeping the Kroc rolling while Luke was out of town
- Huge thanks to Eddie for cleaning up the sidewalks
- Shout out to James for helping free a camper’s stuck finger from a table
- A big welcome and shout out to our new addition, Mark
- Thank you to everyone for your patience and support as Mark gets settled
- Appreciation to Albert, Shay, and Margarita for assisting with a potty accident
- Shout out to all staff who’ve helped create a positive experience for our campers this summer
- Thanks to Albert for stepping in during a last-minute scheduling conflict
- Huge appreciation to everyone helping plan and prepare for the Block Party
- Shout out to Jim for getting the copy machine fixed — no more streaks
- Gratitude to Cathleen for filling the gap while others were out of town
🎂 Birthdays This Week
- August 13 – Corissa V.
- August 14 – Megan R.
- August 17 – Allison D.
👋 Welcome New Staff
- Laura Sucaldito – Fitness Instructor
📌 Open Positions at the Kroc Center
- Lifeguard
- Welcome Desk Attendant
- Fitness Attendant
- Building Supervisor
- Fitness Instructor
- Water Fitness Instructor
- Dance Instructor
- Swim Instructor
- Boxing Instructor
Apply here: grkroccenter.org/learn-more/careers
5️⃣ Reminders & Resources 📌
- Final Backyard BBQ is coming up on Thursday, August 21 – Save the date!
- Shutdown Week is scheduled for September 7–13
- Keep it on your radar and watch for more info about specific projects
✝️ Note from the Pastor
His Atonement, Our Obedience
1 John 2:1–6
In 1 John 2:1–6, the apostle John reminds us of the incredible truth that Jesus Christ is our Advocate with the Father and the atoning sacrifice for our sins—not only for ours but for the sins of the whole world. His death on the cross fully satisfied the penalty of sin, reconciling us to God. This is not a partial work or an incomplete payment—it is finished, and it is sufficient for all who believe.
Because of His atonement, we are called to live in obedience to His commands. John makes it clear that to truly know Christ means to walk as He walked. Our obedience is not about earning salvation but about expressing our love and gratitude for the One who gave everything for us. It’s a life that reflects His light, honors His Word, and bears the evidence of transformation through the Spirit.
Today, let us examine whether our daily walk reflects the One we call our Savior. His atonement calls us out of sin and into holiness, not merely in words but in the way we live. May we abide in Him, follow His steps, and let our obedience be a living testimony of the grace that saved us.
🙏 Prayer Requests
Praise for a great season of Camp Kroc
For Majors Brian and Heidi Reed as they transition into the Kroc Center next week
For good weather and safety during the Kroc Block Party
